Health Informatics

Degree

Master of Science in Health Informatics
51品茶Online | College of Professional Studies (CPS)
Health Informatics

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Mission

The Master of Science in Health Informatics program prepares future leaders in health informatics to leverage technology tools to improve health and healthcare outcomes through the execution of data-driven management techniques and strategies, to adapt to rapidly-changing landscapes, and to provide leadership and innovation to the health informatics profession.

Program Description

The Graduate Programs in Health Informatics prepares students for a career in health informatics through the interdisciplinary study of the design, development, adoption, and application of technology-based innovations in healthcare services delivery, management, and planning. The courses provide graduate education to individuals with varied backgrounds to learn skills in healthcare, technology, informatics, and leadership. The curriculum is delivered in an online format, with full- and part-time options, and is intentionally flexible and readily applicable to students regardless of where they live.

The Master of Science in Health Informatics is a 36 credit hour curriculum that develops and enhances skills in a variety of professional areas, including healthcare quality, information management, technology, innovation, and leadership. This degree culminates in a practicum, which includes a practical or project experience and capstone paper.

The Graduate Certificate in Health Informatics is an 12-credit hour program that provides students with the core health informatics courses they need to broaden and enhance their professional knowledge. All courses in the Graduate Certificate in Health Informatics are also transferable to the Master of Science in Health Informatics program.

Accreditation

The 51品茶 is Accredited by: New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)

Curricular Requirements

 Required Courses

HIN 601 - The Healthcare and Public Landscape
or

HCA 601- Introduction to Health Administration

HIN 605 - Introduction to Health Informatics
or

HCA 605- Introduction to Health Informatics

HIN 610 - Healthcare Quality
or

HCA 610 - Healthcare Quality for Enhanced Value-Based Outcomes

HIN 615 - Computer Science for Health Informatics Professionals
or

HIN 615 - Advanced Computer Technologies for Health Informaticists

HIN 620 - Database Design, Standards, Access, Modeling

HIN 625 - Health Information Legislation, Compliance, Privacy and Security

HIN 700 - Project Management

HIN 715 - Data Analytics/Information Analysis and Visualization
or

HIN 715 - Health Data Analysis, Visualization, and Storytelling

HIN 740 - Health Informatics Capstone
or

HIN 785 - Health Informatics Capstone

Electives 鈥 choose two courses from the following list:

EDU 760 - Adult Learning Theory

GPH 702 - Public Health Policy

HIN 720 - Leadership and Strategic Management in Health Settings
or

HCA 720 - Leadership and Strategic Management in Health Settings

HIN 730 - Human Factors for System Development

HIN 750 - Consumer Informatics
or

HIN 750 - Applying Consumerization to Health Informatics Strategy

HIN 760 - Healthcare Finance and Economics
or

HCA 760 - Healthcare Finance and Revenue Cycle Strategy

HIN 765 - Communication for Health Care Leaders
or

HCA 765 - Communication for Healthcare Leaders

HIN 770 - Foundations of Data Analytics

HIN 775 - Advanced Concepts in Data Analytics

Degree Plan for Graduate Certificate in Health Informatics

HIN 601 - The Healthcare and Public Landscape
or

HCA 601- Introduction to Health Administration

HIN 605 - Introduction to Health Informatics
or

HCA 605- Introduction to Health Informatics

HIN 610 - Healthcare Quality
or

HCA 610- Healthcare Quality for Enhanced Value-Based Outcomes

HIN 615 - Computer Science for Health Informatics Professionals
or

HIN 615- Advanced Computer Technologies for Health Informaticists

Degree Plan for Graduate Certificate in Healthcare Data Analytics

HIN 620 - Database Design, Standards, Access, Modeling
HIN 715 - Information Analysis and Visualization: Turning Data into Insight
HIN 770 - Foundations of Healthcare Data Analytics
HIN 775 - Advanced Concepts in Healthcare Data Analytics

Academic Policy

Minimum Grade Point Average

Matriculated graduate students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 (B) or better. Failure to do so will result in academic probation and possible termination from the program. Any student receiving a grade below B- on any individual course has failed that course must re-enroll and repeat the course to achieve a grade of B- or better. Students receiving a grade of F in any course will be immediately placed on academic probation. Any student who receives a grade of F in two or more courses is dismissed from the program.

Graduation

Candidates must fulfill all program requirements and are required to earn a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 to be eligible to graduate. All students must file an Application to Graduate with the registrar鈥檚 office via U-Online. Please visit the Office of the Registrar website for complete instructions and the answers to frequently asked questions.

Adding, Dropping, and Withdrawing from Courses

The last day permissible for matriculating graduate students to add or drop a course without financial penalty is the second day of class.

Students who withdraw from a course must do so in writing and will receive a 鈥淲鈥 on their transcript indicating withdrawal. Students will receive a partial refund if they withdraw from a course within the first or second week. Be aware that no portion of the tuition will be refunded after the second week of the course. Students who have not participated in the course by the end of the second week will be administratively withdrawn from the course and will not receive a tuition refund.

Email requests for withdrawals must be submitted from a student鈥檚 51品茶email to be considered.

Matriculating students who withdraw after completing more than 2/3 of a course will receive a grade of 鈥淲F鈥 (withdrawn failing) or 鈥淲P鈥 (withdrawn passing), based on the instructor鈥檚 assessment of the student鈥檚 current standing in the course. A 鈥淲F鈥 is calculated as an 鈥淔鈥 in the student鈥檚 GPA. Upon successful completion of the course, the new grade will be used to calculate the GPA. Students will be dismissed from their program after two failing grades (including a 鈥淲F鈥).

University Withdrawal

All matriculated students who wish to withdraw from the University must complete notification documentation available from Registration Services. Documentation must be signed by designated academic and administrative services.

Leave of Absence (Academic Stop Out)

Students may stop out of their program for up to two semesters. Students need to coordinate stop-outs in advance with their assigned student support specialist, and stop out time is considered part of the time allotted to complete the academic program. Application for readmission is not necessary if the student returns as planned. However, the student who does not return at the specified time or who exceeds two semesters of stop out will be administratively withdrawn and will be subject to readmission procedures. Readmitted students are subject to the re-admittance term鈥檚 catalog (this may mean that policies and/or program requirements have been changed or updated since previous admission, and should be reviewed for potential impact on degree requirements, time to complete the degree, and degree planning). 

Note: It is the responsibility of the student to contact the student support specialist and student financial services to indicate a change of plans; stop out time can affect financial aid eligibility and repayment.


Audit Policy

A student may, with prior consent of the Program Director or designee, enroll in a course for an audit grade (AU). This must be requested at the time of registration for the course and must be accompanied by signed approval of the instructor and Program Director or designee. This applies to both matriculated and non-matriculated students. Reversal or change of an audit grade is not possible. Once enrolled for AU the grade becomes permanent on a student's academic record. The student who wishes later to be graded for such a course must re-enroll in and pay for graded credit. In auditing a course, the student is expected to complete all lectures and discussion boards, but is not permitted to submit course work for evaluation, take examinations, receive grades, or earn credit. Auditing a course does not count toward enrollment status (i.e. part-time, full-time, etc.) and therefore cannot be considered for financial aid purposes, veteran's benefits, etc.

Academic Integrity Policy

The 51品茶 values academic integrity in all aspects of the educational experience. Academic dishonesty in any form undermines this standard and devalues the original contributions of others. It is the responsibility of all members of the University community to actively uphold the integrity of the academy; failure to act, for any reason, is not acceptable.

Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to the following:

  1. Cheating, copying, or the offering or receiving of unauthorized assistance or information.
  2. Fabrication or falsification of data, results, or sources for papers or reports.
  3. Action which destroys or alters the work of another student.
  4. Multiple submission of the same paper or report for assignments in more than one course without permission of each instructor.
  5. Plagiarism, the appropriation of records, research, materials, ideas, or the language of other persons or writers and the submission of them as one's own.

Charges of academic dishonesty will be reviewed by the Program Director. Penalties for students found responsible for violations may depend upon the seriousness and circumstances of the violation, the degree of premeditation involved, and/or the student鈥檚 previous record of violations. Appeal of a decision may be made to the Dean whose decision will be final. Student appeals will take place through the grievance process outlined in The College of Graduate and Professional Studies Student Handbook.

Office for Students with Disabilities

The Student Access Center works to ensure that the University promotes respect for individual differences and that no person who meets the academic and technical standards needed for admission and continued enrollment at 51品茶is denied benefits or subjected to discrimination due to a disability. Toward this end, and in conjunction with federal and state laws, the University provides reasonable accommodations for qualified students.

Experiential Learning

Experiential learning is highly valued by the College of Graduate and Professional Studies. Many courses within the College feature experiential-learning components. However, at this time, no credit will be awarded to students for purely experiential learning experiences undertaken in lieu of coursework.

Learning Outcomes

  1. Graduates will understand the American healthcare system and the effects technology and data have had on it.
  2. Understand the complex system of legal and regulatory compliance that governs the healthcare system.
  3. Apply core concepts of database design to facilitate managing the large amounts of data produced and captured in the healthcare setting.
  4. Understand foundational concepts and theories of leadership and management, especially with respect to data-driven business intelligence.
  5. Apply technology and the healthcare quality framework to meet the goals of the triple aim of improving the patient experience of care, improving the health of populations, and reducing the per capita cost of health care.
  6. Analyze, evaluate, and apply the range of tools needed to implement new technology, including identifying, evaluating, selecting, implementing, and upgrading technological systems.
  7. Evaluate the ways new and developing healthcare technology trends influence worldwide health outcomes, and propose potential technology-based solutions for increasing world-wide health outcomes.
  8. Understand and apply project management tools, concepts, and best practices to oversee the successful completion of complex projects.

Transfer Credit

TRANSFER CREDIT

Upon acceptance, students may apply to transfer up to three, 3-credit courses (maximum of nine credits) into the Master of Science in Health Informatics program or up to one, 3-credit course (maximum of three credits) into the Graduate Certificate in Health Informatics or Healthcare Data Analytics programs.

To request consideration for transfer credit, a student must provide an official transcript and a course syllabus for each course. Transfer credit is awarded at the discretion of the College of Graduate and Professional Studies based on specific program details listed below. Requests for approval of transfer credit should be submitted to and will be granted at the discretion of, the Program Director.

Transfer courses must 

  • Be classified as graduate level
  • Have been taken within five years of application
  • Have been completed with a grade of 鈥淏鈥 or better
  • Be equivalent to one of the required program courses or an elective course that meets the goals of the student鈥檚 education

Admissions

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

  • A bachelor鈥檚 degree or above from a regionally accredited institution or its equivalent. See International Admissions for details regarding evaluation of international degrees for grade and degree equivalency.
  • Undergraduate cumulative GPA of 2.75 or better.
  • Computer with an internet connection, including the hardware and software requirements described in our . Must also possess sufficient computer skills to navigate the internet as all classes are accessed 100% online.

Application Process

  • Completed online application:
  • Submission of the non-refundable application fee 
  • Resume or Curriculum Vitae
  • Goal Statement
  • Three professional references
  • Official transcripts reflecting conferral of a bachelor鈥檚 degree or above from a regionally accredited institution. All transcripts are to be submitted from the original institutions.

Note: Transcripts for any coursework appearing as transfer credit on the transcript of the conferred degree can be waived if the coursework is unrelated to the degree being sought. The program admissions committee defines all coursework not eligible for waiver.

PROCEDURES AND POLICIES

  • Applications for admission are accepted through UNE鈥檚 online application only. Detailed instructions are included in the online application.
  • Official transcripts, as well as other documents to support the application, must be submitted to the College of Graduate and Professional Studies, 716 Stevens Ave, Portland, ME, 04103
  • Applications received and completed by the respective deadlines will be given full consideration. Applications submitted and/or completed after the deadline will be reviewed for the next available term.
  • Admissions are rolling and decisions are made by the program admissions committee throughout the cycle.
  • International applicants and applicants with international degrees must have their transcripts evaluated for degree and grade equivalency to that of a regionally accredited US institution. See International Admissions
  • All applicants to 51品茶must be able to understand and communicate in English to be admitted to the university. 51品茶accepts several methods of English Proficiency, see International Admissions. 
  • If an applicant cannot prove English Proficiency in another way, scores from the are required and must be submitted as a part of the completed application. 

For additional information on the admissions process and requirements, please access the .

POLICY EXCEPTIONS

The Graduate Health Informatics program and the Health Informatics Admissions Committee in collaboration with the Office of Graduate and Professional Admissions reserve the right to make exceptions to the admissions criteria and to make changes or exceptions to policies and procedures, on a case by case basis, when it deems such a decision is necessary and appropriate.

Financial Information

TUITION AND FEES

Tuition and fees for subsequent years may vary. Other expenses include books and housing. For more information regarding tuition and fees, please consult the Financial Information section of this catalog.

Notice and Responsibilities Regarding this Catalog

This Catalog documents the academic programs, policies, and activities of the 51品茶 for the 2020-2021 academic year. The information contained herein is accurate as of date of publication May 1, 2020.

The 51品茶 reserves the right in its sole judgment to make changes of any nature in its programs, calendar, or academic schedule whenever it is deemed necessary or desirable, including changes in course content, the rescheduling of classes with or without extending the academic term, canceling of scheduled classes or other academic activities, in any such case giving such notice thereof as is reasonably practicable under the circumstances.

While each student may work closely with an academic advisor, he or she must retain individual responsibility for meeting requirements in this catalog and for being aware of any changes in provisions or requirements.